Indian cattle model jumps global fence

FAO studies benefits of indigenous and upgraded breeds besides cooperative efforts

The Indian cattle-breeding model, putting to use a mix of indigenous and upgraded breeds, is proving to be a good example for replication across the world. With more than 30 diverse cattle breeds and several agencies at work, the United Nations8217; Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO is considering tailoring the model for other countries.

A team of FAO officials recently visited the Pune-based Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation BAIF to deliberate on and prepare a set of broad guidelines that can steer the cattle breeding policies of member nations.

8220;Typically, governments across the world fail to make distinctions between pure and cross breeds and indiscriminately promote the latter as the preferred way to improve productivity,8221; says Lucy Maarse, regional team leader, South Asia Pro-Poor Lifestock Policy Programme and a member of the team that held discussions with BAIF. 8220;Often, however, indigenous breeds prove to be much sturdier as they are well adapted to local climatic and geographic conditions. Compared to cross breeds, these varieties can continue to remain productive even with limited inputs of fodder, feed and healthcare.8221; According to Maarse, maintaining and improving pure local breeds through selection is vital to ensure that they do not disappear altogether in the future.

Besides, 8220;farmers have informal, yet sophisticated ways of coming together to undertake breeding programmes which are often not recognised by the government8221;, explains Maarse. For instance, in some parts of Rajasthan, community members jointly select, own and maintain a genetically superior indigenous bull that enables the community to breed productive offspring.

8220;We have recommended that where resources like fodder, healthcare facilities, marketing, transportation and storage are available, cross breeding can be encouraged while good indigenous breeds can be promoted in other areas,8221; says Dr Ashok Pande, vice-president of BAIF. 8220;We have suggested that exotic breeds like Jersey not be promoted among farmers at all. Though they can produce 25 litres of milk everyday, they can survive only in controlled agro-climatic environments.8221;

But local non-descript breeds, when upgraded with indigenous varieties, can produce close to three litres everyday, at virtually no cost. As Maarse puts it, 8220;The emphasis will be on promoting indigenous breeds with low and medium inputs as they are best suited to developing countries.8221;

As for governmental support, BAIF and FAO have recommended that exotic and cross breeds be promoted only in well-equipped areas. 8220;We also feel that a 100 per cent subsidy should be made available to small and marginal farmers so that they can also breed high-yielding species. This would serve the purpose that we have set out to achieve 8212; namely giving farmers an opportunity to earn supplementary income, while maintaining traditional breeds of the country,8221; sums up Pande.